Discussions about climate change in our society often fall into two camps: scientists and activists presenting data and complex jargon to influence policy and legislation, and climate deniers countering with their own perplexing statistics and language. This emphasis on empirical evidence is far from futile; indeed, statistics and experiential data are foundational to any substantive discussion on climate. However, Elizabeth Kolbert’s “The Siege of Miami” diverges from this pattern. While inclusive of scientific data, her article integrates the lived experiences of Miami Beach residents and the daily impacts of sea-level rise they face. This article moves beyond scientific predictions, scientific jargon, scientific whatever, and instead showcases
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Her structural pattern—the interweaving of intimate, human-scale stories with the broader canvas of scientific data—reflects a growing cultural trend that appreciates storytelling as a tool to simplify complex topics for a broader audience. “The Siege of Miami” not only sheds light on the critical problem of sea-level rise in South Florida but also stands as an influential example of scientific communication, crucial for bridging the gap between comprehension and meaningful action amid environmental challenges. At the outset of her article, Elizabeth Kolbert visits Hal Wanless, the chairman of the University of Miami’s Geological Sciences Department. During their visit to Miami Beach, they encounter a local resident distressed by the flooding of her property. This resident points out her palm tree, described as “sticking out of the drowned grass” (Kolbert 2). Shortly after this interaction, Kolbert presented data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which states that “sea levels could rise by more than three feet by the end of this century” (Kolbert …show more content…
Hammer shows the community, especially the Latino community, “elevation maps and climate-change projections,” explaining to them “that the situation is only going to get worse” (Kolbert 12). Many residents she visited believed the flooding was caused by the moon. However, Hammer explained to them that, really, it was due to el cambio climático. Is this an anecdote? Or is it hard data? Neither—these elements have been merged. This approach breaks the binary and bridges the gap between scientific research and humanity by engaging directly with the community. By including Hammer’s work, Kolbert complicates the initial dichotomy of scientific authority versus narrative, highlighting that combating climate change involves not just understanding its impacts, but also actively engaging in solutions and community actions. Hammer serves as a “connector,” utilizing a scientific approach that diverges from Wanless but remains equally essential. Her work makes scientific knowledge impactful and understandable to the public, illustrating that science is as much about actionable change as it is about raising awareness. This is why it’s impactful—perhaps that resident might still have believed the moon was
Her structural pattern—the interweaving of intimate, human-scale stories with the broader canvas of scientific data—reflects a growing cultural trend that appreciates storytelling as a tool to simplify complex topics for a broader audience. “The Siege of Miami” not only sheds light on the critical problem of sea-level rise in South Florida but also stands as an influential example of scientific communication, crucial for bridging the gap between comprehension and meaningful action amid environmental challenges. At the outset of her article, Elizabeth Kolbert visits Hal Wanless, the chairman of the University of Miami’s Geological Sciences Department. During their visit to Miami Beach, they encounter a local resident distressed by the flooding of her property. This resident points out her palm tree, described as “sticking out of the drowned grass” (Kolbert 2). Shortly after this interaction, Kolbert presented data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which states that “sea levels could rise by more than three feet by the end of this century” (Kolbert …show more content…
Hammer shows the community, especially the Latino community, “elevation maps and climate-change projections,” explaining to them “that the situation is only going to get worse” (Kolbert 12). Many residents she visited believed the flooding was caused by the moon. However, Hammer explained to them that, really, it was due to el cambio climático. Is this an anecdote? Or is it hard data? Neither—these elements have been merged. This approach breaks the binary and bridges the gap between scientific research and humanity by engaging directly with the community. By including Hammer’s work, Kolbert complicates the initial dichotomy of scientific authority versus narrative, highlighting that combating climate change involves not just understanding its impacts, but also actively engaging in solutions and community actions. Hammer serves as a “connector,” utilizing a scientific approach that diverges from Wanless but remains equally essential. Her work makes scientific knowledge impactful and understandable to the public, illustrating that science is as much about actionable change as it is about raising awareness. This is why it’s impactful—perhaps that resident might still have believed the moon was